Galatians

Author: the Apostle Paul
Place of writing: unknown
Time of writing: probably 48 or 49 A.D.

During Paul’s first missionary journey, he planted several churches in the Roman province of Galatia (cf. Acts 13:14-14:23); but shortly after he had left, certain Jews who had believed in Christ arrived at the churches in the region, and were teaching the believers there that obedience to the laws and prescriptions in the Torah (most notably, circumcision) was necessary for justification. Paul’s immediate response is that this teaching is a perversion of the gospel and an utter denial of God’s grace. He strongly condemns anyone who would dare to make any work a condition for justification, and passionately exhorts the churches to stand fast in the freedom which Jesus has given to them. This is likely the first canonical letter that Paul wrote, and one of the first New Testament books written. It is also one of the clearest explanations and defenses of the central truth of the gospel: a man is justified by faith alone, apart from the works of the law (2:16).

The primary theme of this letter is that salvation from beginning to end – justification and the entire process of sanctification in the believer’s life which follows – is a gift of God’s grace, and is received by faith alone. Any denial of this truth is a denial of the gospel itself.

Paul begins with a clear and emphatic statement that there is no other gospel than the gospel of God’s grace, which he has proclaimed in the churches. He then proceeds to defend his apostolic authority to testify to the nature of the gospel, having received it directly by revelation from God, and having been approved by the other apostles who later heard the content of his message. His credentials are solid, and he has never changed his teaching on this vital issue – in fact, he was willing to rebuke even Peter, when his actions were obscuring the truth. After establishing his authority, Paul defines the gospel of justification by faith in Jesus Christ, and goes on to defend it. He proves from the example of Abraham, who lived over four hundred years before the Law, that justification has always been received only by faith in Jesus, and he proclaims that Abraham’s true heirs are only those who follow in his steps, and believe on the Messiah. Anyone claiming to be his heirs because of their birth or the works that they do is living in bondage – but those who believe in Jesus are free to live in a way that is pleasing to God, through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them. Paul finally instructs the Galatians on the proper way to conduct their lives as believers, and concludes with the assessment that there is no room to boast in anything except the cross of Jesus Christ, who was crucified so that those who trust in him might live.

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